Super Reasons to Add Fennel The Mediterranean Herb to Your Diet

 Fennel is known for its strong anti-oxidant properties due to the presence of a number of phytonutrients.

Benefits of Fennel and its Seeds:

• Cancer preventative
• Reduces inflammation
• High in vitamin C - hence anti-microbial
  
• Due to its high fibre content it helps to reduce cholesterol levels. The fibre removes potentially carcinogenic toxins from the colon - hence very useful in the prevention of colon cancer.
• Folate in fennel - converts a dangerous molecule homocysteine into benign and harmless molecules. Homocysteine when present in concentrated amounts in the body causes damage to the blood vessel walls and in turn may lead to stroke or heart attacks.
• High in potassium - the nutrient which helps to lower blood pressure.

• Fennel seeds eatne raw are used to help improve eye-sight.
• Fennel tea applied on the eyes with cotton wool as a compress reduces eye soreness and inflammation.
• It is a diuretic
• Aids digestion
• Prevents kidney stones
• Enhances milk production for breast feeding mothers
• Coughs, asthma,
• Combats parasites of the digestive system
• Has some aphrodisiac properties

To prepare fennel tea, simply place 1 tsp of fennel seeds in a pot, add about 1/2 litre. Boil for 2 minutes and let it steep for another 3/5 minutes.

Fennel Salad Recipe 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced

1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced

1 orange, segmented - save excess juice

1 ripe avocado, cut into wedges

8 mint leaves, torn

2 -3 baby spinach leaves chopped

1 lemon juiced

1/4 tsp freshly ground corriander seed

Pinch of fresh black pepper, red cayenne pepper and sea salt.

Chop in a bowl. Add in turn mint leaves amd seasoning and toss gently. Let the salad stand for a few minutes before serving to allow the spinach leaves to soften and flavours to meld. Enjoy !

Note: You may substitute the spinach leaves with lettuce leaves for a milder flavour.

Barbara is a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, a Health, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, and author who promotes an authentic Mediterranean diet, teaches healthy eating and healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes for life !
Barbara is also the Founder of Conscious Living providing services and products for a healthy lifestyle. She specializes in sales and trading of Moringa Oleifera (oil, seeds, leaf and end products such as teas, smoothie mixes and leaf powder), healthfoods, wholefood supplements and other products to enhance a healthy lifestyle.

Follow/Connect with Barbara on Facebook/Twitter